Axially fastened, illuminated, moisture resistant, fixture standoff

ABSTRACT

An illuminated rod standoff has a base with a recessed surface mountable to a wall, and an axially positioned fastener oriented normal to the recessed surface. The fastener engages a cap which centers a cylindrical sidewall resting on the recessed surface within a close-fitting peripheral edge. The cap closes an open end of the sidewall and provides, at mutual right angles, a pair of cap engagement features, one fixed to the fastener, thereby holding the cap securely to the cylindrical sidewall and the cylindrical sidewall to the base. The other feature receives a towel or tissue rod. A lamp is mounted on the base for transmitting light through the transparent cylindrical sidewall and the cap for illuminating a space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to bathroom fixtures and more particularly to such fixtures having lighting features.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] The following art defines the present state of this field:

[0005] Murphy, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 381,734 describes a submersible fish attracting light design.

[0006] Larson et al., U.S. Pat No. 2,217,688 describes a combination of spaced wall brackets adapted to be secured to a side wall of a vehicle, a baggage rack unit, means for removably supporting the unit on the brackets, each of the brackets being in the form of a box housing, extending throughout substantially the entire width of the rack unit and being of relatively deep cross section and supported from the wall at vertically spaced points to make the brackets cantilevers of sufficient strength to carry the baggage rack load, a source of light within each bracket, the major portion of the bottom wall of the housing being light transmitting.

[0007] Woolley, U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,555 describes a combination lighting and rail fixture for clothes closets and the like, comprising an elongate frame having front and rear portions and means at its ends adjoining said rear portion for attaching it to a support; and glass envelope carried by the frame at its ends and extending substantially coextensive therewith; and elongate, opaque shade having a substantially U-shaped cross section, said shade extending substantially coextensive with and partially enclosing said light-producing means and being arranged to block some of the light therefrom; and a garment rail having a relative large surface per unit length, connected with the frame and extending substantially coextensive therewith, said rail being spaced from and located below the said light-producing means and being located wholly below said frame and accessible in a horizontal direction from the front of the fixture said rail having a diameter commensurate with the diameter of the said tubular glass envelope, and being adapted to receive and support garment hangers by which light colored garments hung thereon may reflect light from the light-producing means upward.

[0008] Nestrock, U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,689 describes a grab bar or handrail system that not only incorporates its own spaced directional illumination sources but also its complete electrical cabling. Thus, installation of the system requires virtually no special electrical cabling or conduit within the wall, such ducting being limited to that required for a single end connection, or to bridge a discontinuity in the handrail, as where the wall is interrupted for a doorway, window, or the like opening. Illumination sources are provided within and as part of each supporting bracket, and individual electrical connection thereof to the supply cabling is made adjacent each support and within the grab bar. Provision is made for automatic transfer from house voltage supply to standby storage supply, in the event of power failure, thus assuring the maximum safety that constant illumination can provide.

[0009] Wojski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,553 describes a lighted curtain hardware assembly for a wall having an opening therein having a curtain support hardware device. The hardware device is mountable adjacent the opening, such as a window or door, for supporting a curtain in front of and adjacent the opening without visually obstructing the opening. The hardware device has a light mounted thereon. Electrical means are included for providing electricity to the light to provide an attractive lighted decoration to the window or door and adjacent wall.

[0010] Hixon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,024 describes a multipurpose toilet tissue dispenser comprising: a housing having a front wall and including means for holding a roll of toilet paper; means for holding a night light assembly; a pencil holder; and means for holding an air freshener, the apparatus further including means for attaching the housing to a bathroom wall, the means for holding a roll of toilet paper including a generally semi-cylindrical shaped recess positioned in the front wall and a spindle for holding a roll of toilet paper, the spindle being releasably coupled within the recess, the spindle holding and permitting rotatable dispensing of toilet tissue when desired by a user.

[0011] McCall, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,00,658 describes a toilet paper dispenser in which a roll of toilet paper is supported on a rotatable spindle with a music box activated by rotation of the spindle. The toilet paper dispenser is equipped with an aromatic fragrance dispenser which is automatically activated by rotation of the spindle.

[0012] Von Schenk, U.S. Pat No. 6,056,233 describes a cover system for toilet paper to protect the toilet paper from dispersal by children and pets comprising a wall-mounted plastic casing completely covering upper and lower rolls of paper. The upper and lower rolls are covered by respective upper and lower swivelable covers, each having a safety latch system. Each safety latch system includes a pair of button-releasable latches with one button on each side of the casing and each cover may be released only by pushing both such buttons at the same time. The covers are light permeable and night lights may be mounted to the inside of the casing or as part of each holder going through each toilet paper roll.

[0013] Schroder, EP 0851170 Al describes a curtain rod in the form of a tube in holders. In at least one end of the rod, or elsewhere within the rod, there is a holder for a bulb or other light. A lead runs from the bulb holder to the outside of the rod. The holder may be externally threaded to fit into an internal thread in the rod end. The bulb holder may have a connection device, from which a lead passes through a slit in the wall of the tubular rod. It may be possible to screw a lampshade onto the external thread of the bulb holder.

[0014] The prior art teaches illumination in a curtain rod, tissue rod, grab bar, fish attracting bar, and in an assembly for supporting a tissue roll. The prior art also teaches illumination of filials on a curtain rod, in a closet fixture and mounted on an undersurface of standoffs for holding a luggage rack. However, the prior art fails to teach illumination means mounted within a structural standoff for bathroom fixtures. This is most likely because the structural standoff typically is not robust enough to be made of glass or other transparent material. However, the present invention is a solution to this need providing illumination and structural strength in a standoff that requires only a single fastener to assemble. This fulfills the needs described and provides further related advantages as further described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0016] An illuminated rod standoff has a base with a recessed surface mountable to a wall, and an axially positioned fastener oriented normal to the recessed surface. The fastener engages a cap which centers a cylindrical sidewall resting on the recessed surface within a close-fitting peripheral edge. The cap closes an open end of the sidewall and provides, at mutual right angles, a pair of cap engagement features. One of these features is fixed to the fastener, thereby holding the cap securely to the cylindrical sidewall and the cylindrical sidewall to the base. The other feature receives a towel or tissue rod. A lamp is mounted on the base for transmitting light through the transparent cylindrical sidewall and the cap for illuminating a space or for decorative purposes. Clearly, the prior art teaches the use of illumination in conjunction with utility items such as curtain rods and bathroom fixtures. The usefulness of such items is well regarded. The benefit of placing illumination within the standoffs for a bathroom fixture such as a towel rod or toilet paper roll rod is that the electrical components of an illumination circuit are secure from rough handling and from moisture.

[0017] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantages not taught by the prior art.

[0018] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of illumination of one or more wall mounted standoffs for a towel or tissue roll rod.

[0019] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable of being assembled with a single axially oriented fastener.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof as assembled, and

[0024]FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof showing a two standoff combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description.

[0026] The present invention is an apparatus enabled for being illuminated and comprises a base 10 preferably made of a wood, metal, plastic or glass substance, and having a recessed surface 20 as shown in FIG. 1. The recessed surface 20 provides a means for enabling 30 the base to be mounted to a wall surface (not shown), such as the two mounting holes shown. The surface 20 also provides a fastener 40 oriented normally to it, as shown. The fastener 40 provides a cap engagement means 44. A light transmissive cylindrical sidewall 50 rests on the recessed surface 20 within a close-fitting peripheral edge 22. A rubber gasket 24 is fitted to each of a top and bottom edges of the sidewall 50 as shown in FIG. 1. A light transmissive cap 60 is adapted with a rim 62 engaged within the cylindrical sidewall 50 for closure of the sidewall. With the base 10, sidewall 50 and cap 60 assembled, the rubber gaskets 24 maintain a water tight assembly. The cap 60 provides, at mutual right angles, first 64 and second 66 cap engagement means. The first cap engagement means 64 engages the cap engagement means 44 with screw 42, thereby holding the cap 60 securely to the cylindrical sidewall 50 and the cylindrical sidewall to the base 10 as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The second cap engagement means 66 is fixed to a horizontally oriented rod 70 for removably holding a bathroom utility element such as a towel (FIG. 3) or roll of tissue (not shown). A means for illumination, such as light bulb 80 is mounted on the base 10 and provides a light through the cylindrical sidewall 50 and the cap 60 for illuminating a space such as a bathroom or toilet and may be useful as a night-light or for decoration.

[0027] Preferably, the cap engagement means 44 of the fastener 40 is a stud with internal threaded end.

[0028] Preferably, the cylindrical sidewall 50 and the cap 60 are made of transparent glass which may be translucent or transparent and may have a non-planar exterior surface such as is shown in the figures, and has preferably facetted surfaces as shown. The rod 70 may be adapted by length and diameter for hanging a towel or a tissue roll thereupon. The entire structure of the standoff may be square, rectangular, round or oval, etc. as desired, including the peripheral edge 22, the cylindrical sidewall 50, the cap 60 and the base 10. It is noted that these three parts are inter-engaging and self-centering so that only one axial fastener is required to assemble the invention, hold it in tight mechanical and hydraulic closure and provide support for the towel or roll fixture. Lamp 80 may be powered by a battery mounted within the apparatus or from the base 10 to which the lamp is attached by a current carrying wire from an external power source.

[0029] The illuminated standoff apparatus in another embodiment comprises the base 10 mountable to a wall surface, the light transmissive cylindrical sidewall 50 and cap 60 engaged with the base 10 in any manner known in the art, including integrally, and a fastening means of any type well known in the art, securing the cylindrical sidewall 50, cap 60 and base 10 to the wall surface. The cap engages a holding means 70, such as the rod shown or a hook, etc. enabled for receiving a bathroom utility element such as a towel or tissue roll; and a means for illumination, such as bulb 80, mounted on the base 10, or elsewhere in within the sidewall 50, for transmitting light through the cylindrical sidewall and the cap 60 for illuminating a space such as the interior of a bathroom.

[0030] While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An illuminated standoff apparatus comprising: a base having a recessed surface, the recessed surface providing: i) a means for enabling the base to be mounted to a wall surface, and ii) a fastener oriented normally thereto, the fastener providing cap engagement means; a light transmissive cylindrical sidewall resting on the recessed surface within a close-fitting peripheral edge; a light transmissive cap adapted with a rim engaged within the cylindrical sidewall for closure thereof, the cap providing, at mutual right angles, first and second cap engagement means, the first cap engagement means engaging the fastener, thereby holding the cap securely to the cylindrical sidewall and the cylindrical sidewall to the base; the second cap engagement means fixed to a holding means enabled for receiving a bathroom utility element; and a means for illumination mounted on the base for transmitting light through the cylindrical sidewall and the cap for illuminating a space.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base mounting enabling means is plural screw holes.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cap engagement means of the fastener is a stud with internal threaded end.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical sidewall and the cap are made of transparent glass.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical sidewall and the cap are made of translucent glass.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical sidewall and the cap are made of a glass having a non-planar surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rod is adapted for hanging a towel thereupon.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rod is adapted for hanging a tissue roll thereupon.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the peripheral edge is rectangular.
 10. An illuminated standoff apparatus comprising: a base having a recessed surface, the recessed surface providing: i) a means for enabling the base to be mounted to a wall surface, and ii) a fastener oriented normally thereto, the fastener providing cap engagement means; a light transmissive cylindrical sidewall resting on the recessed surface within a close-fitting peripheral edge; a light transmissive cap adapted with a rim engaged within the cylindrical sidewall for closure thereof, the cap providing, at mutual right angles, first and second cap engagement means, the first cap engagement means engaging the fastener, thereby holding the cap securely to the cylindrical sidewall with a first one of two moisture excluding gaskets therebetween, and the cylindrical sidewall to the base with a second one of the two moisture excluding gaskets therebetween; the second cap engagement means fixed to a holding means enabled for receiving a bathroom utility element; and a means for illumination mounted on the base for transmitting light through the cylindrical sidewall and the cap for illuminating a space.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the base mounting enabling means is plural screw holes.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the cap engagement means of the fastener is a stud with internal threaded end.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the cylindrical sidewall and the cap are made of transparent glass.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the cylindrical sidewall and the cap are made of translucent glass.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the cylindrical sidewall and the cap are made of a glass having a non-planar surface.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the rod is adapted for hanging a towel thereupon.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the rod is adapted for hanging a tissue roll thereupon.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the peripheral edge is rectangular.
 19. An illuminated standoff apparatus comprising: a base mountable to a wall surface; a light transmissive cylindrical sidewall and cap engaged with the base; a fastening means securing the cylindrical sidewall, cap and base to the wall surface; the cap engaging a holding means enabled for receiving a bathroom utility element; and a means for illumination mounted on the base for transmitting light through the cylindrical sidewall and the cap for illuminating a space. 